Attention deficit disorder: how to deal with it?

Attention disorders are generally divided into 2 main types, namely: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). These are congenital disorders, the causes of which are mainly determined by genetics, but damage to the child during pregnancy and during childbirth can also play a role (use of addictive substances – tobacco and alcohol, lack of oxygen during childbirth, etc.).
Therefore, ADHD/ADD is certainly not caused by upbringing or any other theoretically discussed causes – e.g. vaccinations. Furthermore, it is important to remember that these disorders do not automatically mean lower intelligence. ADHD/ADD generally occurs in people of all intelligence ranges .

• Thus, ADHD is a congenital neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by impaired functioning in areas of the brain related to planning, anticipation, focusing and maintaining attention, and self-control. The older a person is, the more often the visible symptoms of hyperactivity (constant movement and impatience) decrease. However, what persists the most are problems resulting from inattention, impulsive behavior, and the feeling of inner restlessness, emotional lability and low frustration tolerance (quick mood swings, outbursts of anger, etc.) remain.
• ADD is actually the same attention disorder as ADHD, but without the hyperactivity. Individuals seem to live in another world – they are often dreamy and do not react to their surroundings. Manifestations of attention deficit disorder are similar – they have difficulty concentrating on, for them, uninteresting topics and do not even last for a long time, are easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli, have difficulty completing tasks and often forget .

Symptoms of ADHD and ADD

Symptoms of attention disorders tend to be most pronounced in the school environment, in groups and in situations that require adaptation to rules and a certain order. The basic symptoms of people with ADHD and ADD syndrome are:

• Attention Deficit: can refer to a deficit in alertness, excitability, focused attention, volatility, and a lack of comprehension. Attention is easily diverted to another more interesting task. The problem is therefore not only a disorder of attention, but also  of endurance.
• Hyperactivity: restlessness, fidgeting, and purposeless body movements. Individuals are restless, constantly playing with something, fidgeting in a chair, running around the room, or being disruptive. They cannot stand still and may even jump on the spot. As they age, their external restlessness can change to a feeling of inner restlessness, especially in situations where it is necessary to remain calm in place .
• Excessive impulsivity: is linked to impaired persistence in free effort and insufficient behavioral inhibition. Individuals respond quickly in various situations without waiting for all the instructions and information to fulfill the requirements. As a result of acting out of affect, they often make mistakes due to inattention, and because of this they can fail to rationally consider the consequences of their actions.
• Motor disorders: manifested by difficulties in fine or gross motor skills. These people tend to be clumsy, often clumsy, their movements are uncoordinated, and increased muscle tension is usually visible. In addition, their movements are convulsive, sometimes it is difficult to combine the movements into a single whole. In the field of fine motor skills, this includes, for example, tying shoelaces, fastening buttons, etc.

And how do we determine attention deficit disorder?

According to the diagnostic criteria, attention deficits must last for a long period of time of at least 6 months. If it is observed in children from minority ethnic groups, it must be viewed in relation to other children from the same environment and of the same mental age. In order for attention deficit disorder (ADHD/ADD) to be identified, it must adversely affect the child’s school performance and at the same time be manifested by a significant discrepancy between his intellectual abilities and current school performance. Attention deficit disorder does not include children with other more serious diagnoses, such as learning disabilities or mental retardation.

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Can she be misidentified?

Symptoms of ADHD/ADD, especially impulsivity and impaired self-control, predispose individuals to a higher susceptibility to addictive behavior (use of alcohol, marijuana and other addictive substances, gambling), as well as risky behavior in traffic (inattention, speeding, etc.), eating disorders (binge eating, bulimia).

Increased impulsivity can also lead to sexually risky behavior (promiscuity), loss of job, partner and others. These life problems can also cause emotional difficulties that accumulate in adulthood, to a great extent, and therefore it is sometimes especially difficult to distinguish what is the cause (and where it lies) and what is the effect. Common confusions with attention disorders are:

• Depression and agitated depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Dependence on addictive substances
• Eating disorders

And is it possible to treat/cure attention disorder?

Attention disorders ADHD and ADD are caused by abnormal functioning of the CNS and  therefore it is impossible to completely cure and get rid of them . However, there are ways that can suppress their symptoms to such an extent that the person suffering from this problem can live a satisfied and fulfilling life and meet the demands of modern society.

Experts agree that a comprehensive approach is the most effective – in the case of children, the modification of educational (and teaching) methods, in the case of adults, a change in the living and working environment, the use of aids (diaries, etc.), proper lifestyle, self-help activities, psychotherapy, medication and possible alternative methods of treatment (vitamins, homeopathy, dietary supplements, etc.). The more complex the care, the more successful it should be. The degree of difficulty is different for each individual and therefore each treatment should be individually targeted.

What to take from it?

Attention deficit disorder is most often detected in individuals=children already in the school environment, precisely because of its visible symptoms, which make the necessary adaptation and adjustment to the classroom environment and the group of children impossible. This is a problem that is often confused with other diagnoses (and therefore special emphasis should be placed on its correct diagnosis) and which accompanies the individual throughout his life due to the different functioning of his CNS.

But don’t despair! There are a number of options for alleviating attention deficit disorder and thus improving the quality of life for the person concerned. It is primarily a comprehensive approach including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, changing the work/school environment, etc.